Rena's Promise

A Story of Sisters in Auschwitz

By: Rena Kornreich Gelissen, Heather Dune Macadam

Narrated by: Heather Dune Macadam

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

"I do not hate. To hate is to let Hitler win." - Rena Kornreich Gelissen.

On March 26, 1942, the first mass transport of Jews - 999 young women - arrived in Auschwitz. Among them was Rena Kornreich, the 716th woman numbered in camp. A few days later, her sister Danka arrives and so begins a trial of love and courage that will last three years and 41 days, from the beginning Auschwitz death camp to the end of the war.

Rena's Promise stands out from other memoirs not only for the mere length of time she spent in the camps (no other survivor from the first transport has ever written about her experience) but for her dedication to honoring the bonds between mothers, daughters, and sisters, prisoners, and even guards. From her escape from Dr. Mengele's experiment detail to her surreal meetings with SS woman Irma Grese, Rena tells a dynamic tale of courage and compassion that reminds us of the resiliency of the human spirit, and the power of people to help one another in unimaginable circumstances, be they Gentile or Jew, German or Pole, kapo or prisoner.

©1994 Heather Dune Macadan and Rena Kornreich Gelissen (P)2013 Heather Dune Macadam and Rena Kornreich Gelissen

Excellent Content / Horrible Production

You could fairly say I am addicted to Holocaust survival stories. I never tire hearing about people’s challenges and how they overcame the worst possible odds – it’s an amazing testament to human resilience. Always impressive.

The production value of this audio book however is the pits! It’s as if it was recorded in 3 different rooms, and then spliced together to make one audio file. The sound is jumpy, the volume is inconsistent, I even thought the narrator had changed on occasion… it did the subject matter a huge disservice as the cuts were so jarring and distracting.

I wish there was a way to rate this other then lumping it in with “performance” in Audible’s star rating system because this is not a critique of the narrator. Overall, it was great content, just a terrible assembly.

Amazing

I love this book. I chose this memoir for my college Holocaust history corse research paper. It's incredible what those girls had to go through and they still used their agency to live happy successful lives. It's also wonderful how it brings to life the actual people who were sent to these camps, how they were just that. People. not statistics or numbers but actual people who were cast down by their society because of their religion. It's devastating what happened to those people and it should never be forgotten. I believe everyone should read this book. If we don't educate ourselves on subjects like this, if we act ignorant or disassociate ourselves with these people then mass genocide will continue. I also very much appreciate the authors not at the very end about her cat. It brought a smile to my face :)

Holocaust Memoir Overshadowed by Poor Organization

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes; although hard to follow this book shows how the love, mutual commitment, and wit of two sisters helped them to survive years in a concentration camp.

Would you recommend Rena's Promise to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, see above.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

Was Rena's Promise worth the listening time?

Well … yes. The biography is compelling although I am not likely to re-read it because the book's organization between the past and present makes it too difficult to follow. It could have benefitted from another round of editing before it went to print.

Any additional comments?

The substance of the book would make a good movie.

Good story, god aweful narration

Oh I wish they would have sprung for a professional narrator. The authors voice and her impression
of a polish accent is enough to make your ears bleed. Is was practically unlistenable. And the way the author insinuates herself into the importance of this story is enough to make you wretch.
Really horrible performance. If there is ever a book on knitting or casserole making,
the author maybe could read that outloud to her stupid cat. But that's about all I would grant her.

Good story...narration not good.

I first listened to 999, which was a great book excellent narration. I decided to get this book by the author. 999 had a professional narrator, this book was narrated by the author and was spliced several times and annoying. I had to adjust my volume often, and the narration fell flat often. The story itself was very good, so I pushed through. The story is worth redoing the narration.

Fantastic

Fantastic memoir. Fortunately the low production quality doesn't take away from the story. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in holocaust memoirs.

Great Holocaust Story

Would you try another book from Rena Kornreich Gelissen and Heather Dune Macadam and/or Heather Dune Macadam?

Only if they fix the volume on the recording--this went up and down through the whole story.

What other book might you compare Rena's Promise to and why?

War and Rememberance--each book tells a different side to the Holocaust Also this book reminded me a lot of the Hiding Place

Which character – as performed by Heather Dune Macadam – was your favorite?

Rena

Do you think Rena's Promise needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

yes I think it would be good to follow through the story

Any additional comments?

the only reason I gave this book a low rating in the overall category was the volume was not adjustable on the book..sometimes it was low and then other times it was too loud

One you will also want to get in hard copy and keep on the shelf.

I had not heard of Rena’s Promse and read 999 first. These books are so well written. I’m a seasoned Holocaust reader and I’m so thankful for the talented writers that work with these amazing people to bring the stories of their lives to us. This one, and 999 belong on your shelf so run out and get a hard copy as well.

Finally! A masterpiece comes to Audible

What made the experience of listening to Rena's Promise the most enjoyable?

It's simply a wonderful book . And the author, Heather Macadam, is the perfect reader.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rena's Promise?

The scene where Danka is nearly taken by Mengele. I had my heart in my mouth.

Have you listened to any of Heather Dune Macadam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

It's my first. But I hope she does more. Soon.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

An inspiring story of human courage and the transformative power of love.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books I have ever read - I can't wait to hear this audio version.

Amazing book, terrible audiobook experience

This story is beautifully told, intriguing, and heart wrenching. However, the quality of the audiobook was infuriating. The volume oscillates wildly, there are mistakes in it, and sound quality goes back and forth between “ok” and “not so ok.” This is one to read, not listen to.